Listing a Residential Property in Winter

This winter has seen a more active residential market than in most years, so if you are thinking of listing it is definitely worth talk about. Winter weather can change how to best feature your home and property. These 5 tips can help you get the most out of a winter listing!

1. Lighting

In the winter, especially on the coast where it is often grey outside in the winter months, lighting is crucial. Check that all your lights are bright, change out any weak or dim bulbs.  Look for dark areas in the house and see if lamps or strategically placed lighting will enhance those areas. Warm light in the winter is nice or try using the daylight-style bulbs.

Photo by Jean-Philippe Delberghe on Unsplash

2. Warmth

People love to feel cozy in the winter, but keep in mind that they will be coming in with coats on after being out in the cold air, so a house interior will already feel warmer to them. In other words you want the home warm but not hot. A nice throw on the couch and some soft accent pillows will enhance the cozy feeling.

Photo by Stephanie Harvey on Unsplash

3. Cleaning

In the winter when the outside spaces are dormant and cold the inside needs to shine even more.  Make sure the indoor living spaces are sparkling. Flooring in the winter can quickly become muddy and dirty, so keep watch on that. Also mud rooms and entryways in the winter quickly get cluttered with coats, boots and gear which need to be cleared away.

Photo by Crystal de Passillé-Chabot on Unsplash

4. Outdoor Lighting and Entryway

While people won’t spend as much time looking at the outside of the property in the winter, they will notice a dirty entryway or one that is not well lit. Keep it clean and bright, so the entrances are reassuring, welcoming and safe. 

Photo by Nathan Walker on Unsplash

5. Bring the Outdoors In

With very little colour outside, having some fresh flowers or a plant or two inside the home improves people’s moods without them even realizing why. A kitchen or dining room table with flowers in a vase, a green plant in the living room, or even a colourful bowl of fruit can add a fresh and inviting ambiance to a home.

Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

Welcome 2021

 How to know what 2021 will bring? At least through the winter and perhaps longer, Covid-19 will continue to be a force to reckon with in all aspects of life, including real estate and office work. We feel confident in our ability to serve our clients’ needs as a team whether in our main office or at our individual home offices.

The recreational and remote markets are doing well. The biggest issue is a shortage of inventory currently – properties are selling faster than the inventory can be replaced! So if you have been thinking about selling,  give us a call to discuss the market and your options.

Predicting the residential market is difficult with Covid, but trends and forecasts indicate that prices will continue to increase slightly and the market will remain strong.

In 2021 we expect to see a further increase in doing business online, something we have worked hard at becoming proficient at in the BCO office and continue to train on. From online searching to completing documentation and even virtual showings, real estate is thriving in the online world. When we do real estate in person, be assured that safety and proper health measures continue to be front of mind for everyone involved.

Real Estate, like every business, is always changing. The BC Oceanfront Real Estate Team continues to improve systems and procedures to both keep up with new requirements and regulations and also to provide top service to all of our clients.

We wish you all a safe, healthy and happy 2021 and look forward to working with you on your real estate needs.

 It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!